Mid-South Wrestling Archives

Dick Slater Death

By Mike Rickard on March 4, 2019 / 2010s, 2018 / Leave a comment

Dick Slater Death – Heart Complications 1951-2018 (Age 67) Long before there was “The Lunatic Fringe,” there was “Dirty” Dick Slater, a roughhouse redneck who brawled in and out of the ring; proving he didn’t live his gimmick – he was his gimmick. Slater established himself as one of the baddest men in wrestling during his heyday in the territories in the 1970s and 1980s, eventually retiring due to a back injury in 1996. However, Slater’s wild ways continued long after he left the ring, with some surprised he made it to the age of 67. A Common Beginning for an Uncommon Man Florida native Richard Van Slater showed his toughness wrestling and playing football at the University of Tampa, playing alongside future grappling great Paul “Mr. Wonderful” Orndorff. Recruited by wrestler Mike Graham, Slater (like many athletes) heard the siren call of quick cash and entered the squared circle.

Buddy Landel Death

By Mike Rickard on March 11, 2018 / 2010s, 2015, Accident / Leave a comment

Buddy Landel Death – Car Accident 1961-2015 (Age 53) William Ansor was born on August 14, 1961, but would later change his name to that of his wrestling persona, Buddy Landel. A talented and charismatic wrestler, the Knoxville, Tennessee native hit the big time in 1985, working in Jim Crockett Promotions. With a “Battle of the Nature Boys” feud on the horizon, big things lie ahead, but Landel’s personal demons led to an abrupt dismissal, and unfortunately his career never bounced back. A Friendship Leads to a Wrestling Career William Ansor’s sister was dating Barry Orton (brother of “Cowboy” Bob Orton Jr.) and knew of Ansor’s interest in wrestling. This led to an introduction to wrestler Boris Malenko, who began training Ansor. With the help of “Cowboy” Bill Watts and Bob Roop, Ansor entered the wrestling business. Ansor debuted in 1979, and worked his first match with “Cowboy” Bob Orton,

Dick Murdoch Death

By Mike Rickard on January 1, 2018 / 1990s, 1996, Dead Before 50, Heart Attack / Leave a comment

Dick Murdoch Death – Heart Attack 1947-1996 (Age 49) Texas native Dick Murdoch was a top star during the territory era along with the national expansion era. Successful in both timeframes, Murdoch combined a mix of brawling and charisma, as a larger than life character that earned him the nicknames “Captain Redneck” and “Dirty” Dick Murdoch. Effective as a heel or a babyface, Murdoch was able to draw crowds wherever he worked. Texas Tough Dick Murdoch was born on August 16, 1946. The son of wrestler Frankie Hill Murdoch, he grew up watching his father battle some of wrestling’s biggest names at the time including Dory Funk Sr. Murdoch grew up in Waxahachie, Texas, and like many wrestlers of his era, Murdoch was an exceptional high school athlete. Murdoch’s athletics skills found him courted by the University of Texas. However, Murdoch’s grades kept him from getting in so he played at

Eddie Gilbert Death

By Mike Rickard on January 1, 2018 / 1990s, 1995, Dead Before 50, Heart Attack / Leave a comment

Eddie Gilbert Death – Heart Attack 1961-1995 (Age 33) “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert lived up to his nickname, seemingly doing what he wanted, when he wanted, and where he wanted. Although he was considered too small to be a top star, he found consistent work in the wrestling industry whether it was as a manager, booker, or wrestler. This second-generation star burnt bridges as quickly as he could build them, yet he never lacked for work, up until his death. Sadly, Gilbert’s personal excesses would end his life at the young age of 33. Destination: Wrestling Eddie Gilbert was born on August 14, 1961. The son of wrestler Tommy Gilbert; Eddie had a younger brother Doug, who would also become a wrestler. Surrounded by wrestling, Eddie aspired to become “The King of Wrestling,” just as Jerry Lawler had become and Jackie Fargo before him. Eddie trained to be a wrestler

Nick Bockwinkel Death

By Mike Rickard on October 17, 2017 / 2010s, 2015, Undisclosed Causes / Leave a comment

Nick Bockwinkel Death – Undisclosed Causes 1934-2015 (Age 80) Nick Bockwinkel enjoyed a long and successful career in Verne Gagne’s American Wrestling Association (AWA), boasting tag team and singles world championships. Working as a cocky scientific heel, Bockwinkel taunted fans with his expansive vocabulary and uncanny ability to steal victory from certain defeat. Outside the ring, he was respected by his peers and the industry, lending prestige to any project he worked on. A Family Tradition Nick was born on December 6th, 1934, the son of pro wrestler Warren Bockwinkel. Nick attended the University of Oklahoma on a football and wrestling scholarship until a knee injury ended his football career. Undaunted, Nick trained under his dad along with talented wrestlers such as Lou Thesz, Lord James Blears, Gene Kiniski, and Wilbur Snyder. Although he was drafted into the army in 1958, he still found time to wrestle. Wrestling is known for

Skandor Akbar Death

By Ryan on October 25, 2016 / 2010, 2010s, Cancer / 2 Comments

Skandor Akbar Death – Prostate Cancer 1934-2010 (age 75) Jim Wehba, known to wrestling fans as the cigar-smoking Skandor Akbar, was a heel manager for WCCW throughout the 80s. Akbar’s stable, “Devestation, Inc” helped draw huge money for Fritz Von Erich‘s Texas-based WCCW – taking part in memorable programs with the baby faced Von Erich brothers. Prior to managing, Akbar briefly wrestled throughout the 70s, including a run with the WWWF (now WWE) where he was managed by the late Classy Freddie Blassie. Here’s Akbar in a short WWWF bout against Ivan Putski: Skandor Akbar Death The late Percy Pringle (Paul Bearer) confirmed the death of Skandor Akbar in a heart felt post in his blog. Skandor Akbar died from prostate cancer on August 19, 2010. He was 75 years old. Skandor Akbar Legacy, Influence Just 11 days prior to Wehba’s death, Jim Ross speaks fondly of him in a blog post, noting that Wehba

Buzz Sawyer Death

By Ryan on October 25, 2016 / 1990s, 1992, Dead Before 50, Drug Overdose / 3 Comments

Buzz Sawyer Death – Drug Overdose 1959-1992 (age 32) Bruce Woyan, best known to wrestling fans as “Mad Dog” Buzz Sawyer, was a fixture in 1980s professional wrestling. Buzz Sawyer spent time with various territories, including NWA, UWF, Mid-South, WCCW, WCW, among others. He spent a short stint with the WWF in 1984, managed by the late Captain Lou Albano. Last Battle of Atlanta In the early 80s, Buzz had a bloody feud with “Wildfire” Tommy Rich, including the legendary 1983 match inside an enclosed cage – the first match of its kind, dubbed the “Last Battle of Atlanta”. Shawn Michaels notes the “Last Battle of Atlanta” as the inspiration for the WWE’s “Hell in a Cell” – a PPV that’s still prevalent today. Arguably, Buzz Sawyer saw the most success while working for Fritz Von Erich‘s Texas-based WCCW. In 1986, he won WCCW tag team gold alongside the late Matt Osborne

Iron Mike Sharpe Death

By Ryan on October 22, 2016 / 2010s, 2016, Undisclosed Causes / Leave a comment

Iron Mike Sharpe Death – Undisclosed Causes 1949-2016 (age 67) “Iron” Mike Sharpe was a Canadian wrestler who had a long career that lasted from the 1970s to the mid-90s. Sharpe’s unique style endeared him to WWF fans, even though he worked as a heel. Mike Sharpe was born on October 28, 1951 in Hamilton, Ontario. The Canadian eventually grew to 6’5″ and 275 pounds. He looked like a pro wrestler and pro wrestling was in his genes. A Famous Father…and Uncle The second-generation wrestler followed in the footsteps of both his father (Mike) and uncle (Ben). Mike and Ben Sharpe were one of several real-life brothers who wrestled. The Sharpe Brothers held many tag team championships in the United States. They also enjoyed considerable success in Japan in the mid-1950s. Pro wrestling was becoming popular in Japan and the Sharpe Brothers helped Rikidozan become a household name in Japan.

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